Fan device having a self-lubricating bearing

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a fan device having a self-lubricating bearing. The fan device includes a fan base and at least one self-lubricating bearing. The self-lubricating bearing is disposed in a bearing hole of the fan base and has a bearing surface assembly. The bearing surface assembly is provided with at least one magnetic element. By this arrangement, the magnetic element generates a magnetic attractive force to the spindle, thereby making the spindle to return to its optimal position rapidly. In this way, wear, noise and vibration are reduced. Further, the lifetime of the fan device is extended.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fan device having a self-lubricating bearing, and in particular to a fan device having a self-lubricating bearing, which is capable of reducing wear, noise and vibration during its operation as well as extending its lifetime.

2. Description of Prior Art

The wide spread of electronic information products (such as computers) causes the rapid development of the electronic information industry together with increased operating speed and access capacity. Accordingly, the components of such an electronic information product generate a lot of heat in operation.

Taking a computer host as an example, the heat generated by a central processing unit (CPU) in the computer host occupies a large portion of the heat generated by the computer host. When the heat is accumulated in the CPU more and more, the performance of the CPU will come down. If the amount of heat accumulated in the CPU exceeds the upper limit of the allowable amount of heat, the computer host will crash and even suffer damage. On the other hand, in order to solve the problem caused by electromagnetic waves, a casing is provided for shielding the computer host. Thus, it is an important issue for the present Inventor to dissipate the heat of the CPU and other heat-generating elements.

The common solution for dissipating the heat of the CPU is to provide a heat sink and a heat-dissipating fan above the CPU. One side of the heat sink is provided with a plurality of fins. The other side of the heat sink without fins is brought into thermal contact with the CPU to thereby conduct the heat from the CPU to the fins. Then, the heat is rapidly dissipated to the outside by means of heat radiation and heat convection of the airflow generated by the fan.

FIG. 1 is an assembled cross-sectional view showing a heat-dissipating fan having a self-lubricating bearing according to prior art. The heat-dissipating fan 1 has a fan base 11 on which a sleeve 111 is provided. The interior of the sleeve 111 is provided with a bearing 12. The fan base 11 is assembled with a fan wheel 13. The outer periphery of the fan wheel 13 is provided with a plurality of blades 131. The interior of the fan wheel 13 is provided with a spindle 132. The spindle 132 penetrates the bearing 12 to be fastened thereto. An oil film 121 is filled between the bearing 12 and the spindle 132. The positional relationship among the fan base 11, the bearing 12 and the fan wheel 13 is adjusted to the optimal position for operation. By this arrangement, when the heat-dissipating fan 1 is operated, the spindle 132 can stably rotate in the bearing 12 by means of the oil film 121. Therefore, the position of the spindle 132 relative to the bearing 12 is only supported by the supporting force of the oil film 121. However, the supporting force generated by the oil film 121 is still smaller than the eccentric force generated by the heat-dissipating fan 1, friction and collision may still occur between the spindle 132 and the bearing 12. When the heat-dissipating fan 1 is collided by an external force, the external force also makes the spindle 132 to deviate from its original position. Even, the spindle 132 causes the vibration of the bearing 12, so that the heat-dissipating fan 1 generates noise and vibration during its operation due to the positional deviation or collision of the heat-dissipating fan 1 caused by the external force. As a result, the wear between the spindle 132 and the bearing 12 becomes serious, which deteriorates the lifetime of the heat-dissipating fan 1. Although the supporting force of the oil film 121 can force the spindle 132 to return to the optimal position for operation, it takes more time for the oil film 121 to return to its original state. Thus, the time for the spindle 132 to return to its optimal position is also increased. Also, the duration of noise and wear is extended.

Therefore, the prior art has the following problems:

(1) it is easy to generate vibration and noise;

(2) the wear becomes serious;

(3) the duration of noise is long; and

(4) the lifetime is shortened.

In order to solve the problems of prior art, the present inventor proposes a novel and reasonable structure based on his expert knowledge and delicate researches.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the above problems, an objective of the present invention is to provide a fan device having a self-lubricating bearing, which is capable of reducing wear, noise and vibration as well as extending the lifetime.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a fan device having a self-lubricating bearing, which is capable of restoring the operational stability of the fan rapidly.

In order to achieve the above objective, the present invention is to provide a fan device having a self-lubricating bearing. The fan device includes a fan base, at least one self-lubricating bearing and a fan wheel. One side of the fan base has a sleeve. The sleeve has a bearing hole for allowing the self-lubricating bearing to be disposed therein. The self-lubricating bearing has a spindle hole and a bearing surface assembly. The bearing surface assembly is provided with at least one magnetic element. The fan wheel has a plurality of blades and a spindle. The spindle is pivotally disposed in the spindle hole. By this arrangement, the magnetic element can generate a magnetic attractive force to the spindle, so that the spindle can return to its optimal position rapidly, thereby reducing the wear, noise and vibration as well as extending the lifetime.

Therefore, the present invention has the following advantageous features:

(1) reducing the vibration and noise;

(2) reducing the wear;

(3) shortening the duration of noise; and

(4) extending the lifetime.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an assembled cross-sectional view of prior art;

FIG. 2 is an assembled cross-sectional view showing a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectional view showing the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an assembled cross-sectional view showing a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partially cross-sectional view showing the second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an assembled cross-sectional view showing a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partially cross-sectional view showing the third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an assembled cross-sectional view showing a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partially cross-sectional view showing the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an assembled cross-sectional view showing a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a partially cross-sectional view showing the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above objectives and structural and functional features of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to preferred embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings

Please refer to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is an assembled cross-sectional view showing the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectional view showing the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The fan device 2 includes a fan base 21, a self-lubricating bearing 22, and a fan wheel 23. One side of the fan base 21 has a sleeve 211. The interior of the sleeve 211 has a bearing hole 2111. The self-lubricating bearing 22 is disposed in the bearing hole 2111. The self-lubricating bearing 22 has a spindle hole 221 and a bearing surface assembly 222. The bearing surface assembly 222 includes an upper bearing surface 2221 and a lower bearing surface 2222. The bearing surface assembly 222 is provided with at least one magnetic element 2224 on the upper bearing surface 2221 or the lower bearing surface 2222 or on both the upper bearing surface 2221 and the lower bearing surface 2222.

In the present embodiment, the magnetic element 2224 is provided on both the upper bearing surface 2221 and the lower bearing surface 2222. The magnetic element 2224 may be any one of magnet, magnetic powder and an element having magnetism. The fan wheel 23 includes a plurality of blades 231 and a spindle 232. The blades 231 are circumferentially provided on the outer periphery of the fan wheel 23. The fan wheel 23 is provided on the sleeve 211. The spindle 232 is pivotally connected in the spindle hole 221. A hydraulic layer 223 forming an oil film is formed between the spindle 232 and the spindle hole 221. When the spindle 232 is assembled in the spindle hole 221, it is necessary to adjust the positional relationship among the fan base 21, the self-lubricating bearing 22 and the fan wheel 23 to the optimal state. When the positional relationship is adjusted, the magnetic elements 2224 provided on the upper bearing surface 2221 and the lower bearing surface 2222 generate a magnetic attractive force to the spindle 232, and the hydraulic layer 222 generates a supporting force to the spindle 232. Thus, the magnetic attractive force and the supporting force generated by the hydraulic layer 223 can locate the spindle 232 at the optimal position for operation. When the fan wheel 23 is in operation, the magnetic attractive force can also make the spindle 232 to be located at the optimal position. In this way, the operational stability between the spindle 232 and the self-lubricating bearing 22 is increased, the wear, noise and vibration are reduced, and the lifetime is extended.

After the fan device 2 is collided by an external force, the external force makes the spindle 232 to deviate from its original position. Even, the spindle 232 may collide with the self-lubricating bearing 22 to generate vibration. At this time, the magnetic attractive force generated by the magnetic element 2224 on the upper bearing surface 2221 and the lower bearing surface 2222 causes the spindle 232 to return to its optimal position rapidly. In this way, the wear, noise and vibration are reduced, and the lifetime is extended.

Please refer to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is an assembled cross-sectional view showing the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a partially cross-sectional view showing the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The connection and operation of the elements of the second embodiment are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus the same description is omitted for clarity. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment lies in that: the magnetic element 2224 is merely provided on the upper bearing surface 2221. The spindle 232 is pivotally disposed in the spindle hole 221. The hydraulic layer 223 is formed between the spindle 232 and the spindle hole 221. Further, it is necessary to adjust the positional relationship among the fan base 21, the self-lubricating bearing 22, and the fan wheel 23 to the optimal state. The magnetic element 2224 provided on the upper bearing surface 2221 generates a magnetic attractive force to the spindle 232. The hydraulic layer 223 generates a supporting force to the spindle 232. The magnetic attractive force and the supporting force generated by the hydraulic layer 223 make the spindle 232 to be located at the optimal position for operation. When the fan wheel 23 is operated, the magnetic attract force of the magnetic element 2224 keeps the spindle 232 to be located at the optimal position. In this way, the operational stability between the spindle 232 and the self-lubricating bearing 22 is increased, the wear, noise and vibration are reduced, as well as the lifetime is extended. If the fan device 2 is collided by an external force, the magnetic element 2224 provided on the upper bearing surface 2221 generates a magnetic attractive force to make the spindle 232 to return to its optimal position, thereby reducing the wear, noise and noise as well as extending the lifetime.

Please refer to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is an assembled cross-sectional view showing the third preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a partially cross-sectional view showing the third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The connection and operation of the elements of the third embodiment are substantially the same as those of the previous embodiments, and thus the same description is omitted for clarity. The difference between the third embodiment and the previous embodiments lies in that: the magnetic element 2224 is merely provided on the lower bearing surface 2222, so that the spindle 232 can be located at the optimal position by the magnetic element 2224. When the fan wheel 23 is operated, the magnetic attractive force of the magnetic element 2224 keeps the spindle 232 to be located at the optimal position. In this way, the operational stability between the spindle 232 and the self-lubricating bearing is increased, the wear, noise and the vibration are reduced, as well as the lifetime is extended.

Please refer to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is an assembled cross-sectional view showing the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a partially cross-sectional view showing the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. The connection and operation of the elements of the fourth embodiment are substantially the same as those of the previous embodiments, and thus the same description is omitted for clarity. The difference between the fourth embodiment and the previous embodiments lies in that: the bearing surface assembly 222 includes a middle bearing surface 2223 in addition to the upper bearing surface 2221 and the lower bearing surface 2222. The middle bearing surface 2223 is formed on a trough of an outer surface of the self-lubricating bearing 22. In the present embodiment, the magnetic element 2224 is provided on the middle bearing surface 2223. When the fan wheel 23 is operated, the magnetic attractive force of the magnetic element 2224 keeps the spindle 232 to be located at the optimal position. In this way, the operational stability between the spindle 232 and the self-lubricating bearing 22 is improved, the wear, noise and vibration are reduced, as well as the lifetime is extended.

Please refer to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 is an assembled cross-sectional view showing the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a partially cross-sectional view showing the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention. The connection and operation of the elements of the fifth embodiment are substantially the same as those of the previous embodiments, and thus the same description is omitted for clarity. The difference between the fifth embodiment and the previous embodiments lies in that: two self-lubricating bearings 22 are provided in the bearing hole 2111. The magnetic element 2224 is provided on the lower bearing surface 2222 having one self-lubricating bearing 22 and on the upper bearing surface 2221 having the other self-lubricating bearing 22, thereby making the magnetic element 2224 to be located in the middle of the bearing hole 2111. In this way, the spindle 232 can be located at the optimal position by the magnetic element 2224. When the fan wheel 23 is operated, the magnetic attractive force of the magnetic element 2224 keeps the spindle 232 to be located at the optimal position. In this way, the operational stability between the spindle 232 and the self-lubricating bearing 22 is improved, the wear, noise and vibration are reduced, as well as the lifetime is extended.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various equivalent variations and modifications can still occur to those skilled in this art in view of the teachings of the present invention. Thus, all such variations and equivalent modifications are also embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fan device having a self-lubricating bearing, including: a fan base having a sleeve on its one side, the sleeve having a bearing hole; at least one self-lubricating bearing disposed in the bearing hole, the self-lubricating bearing having a spindle hole and a bearing surface assembly, the bearing surface assembly being provided with at least one magnetic element; and a fan wheel having a plurality of blades and a spindle, the spindle being pivotally disposed in the spindle hole.
 2. The fan device having a self-lubricating bearing according to claim 1, wherein a hydraulic layer is formed between spindle and the spindle hole.
 3. The fan device having a self-lubricating bearing according to claim 1, wherein the bearing surface assembly includes an upper bearing surface and a lower bearing surface.
 4. The fan device having a self-lubricating bearing according to claim 3, wherein the magnetic element is provided on the upper bearing surface.
 5. The fan device having a self-lubricating bearing according to claim 3, wherein the magnetic element is provided on the lower bearing surface.
 6. The fan device having a self-lubricating bearing according to claim 3, wherein the magnetic element is provided on the upper bearing surface and the lower bearing surface.
 7. The fan device having a self-lubricating bearing according to claim 1, wherein bearing surface assembly further includes a middle bearing surface, the middle bearing surface is formed on a trough of an outer surface of the self-lubricating bearing, the magnetic element is provided on the middle bearing surface.
 8. The fan device having a self-lubricating bearing according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic element is selected from any one of a group including a magnet, magnetic powder and an element having magnetism. 